LOGIC 2017 Voter Guide: Thornton

Question 1: What role should counties, municipalities, local governments, and the state have in regulating oil and gas facilities?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: I believe counties, municipalities, local governments, and our state each play a huge role in regulating oil and gas facilities. It is their responsibility to make sure that we have safe regulations that protect lives, property, and our environment.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: The first priority of every elected official should be protecting the welfare of the individuals living in their community. The recent Martinez ruling held that all decisions regarding oil and gas development should elevate public health and safety as paramount. As such, government at all levels should be informed and proactive in protecting the health and safety of all individuals living and working in their jurisdiction when making decisions about oil and gas development.

Question 2: What role should counties, municipalities, local governments, and the state have in approving large-scale oil and gas facilities in urban areas?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: I believe there should be a vigorous process that the oil and gas industry needs to go through in order for large-scale oil and gas facilities in urban areas to be approved. I believe that this should occur first at the local municipal level. It should also be approved by the county level, and then the state should have the final sign off on it. When multiple agencies are involved as a watchdog we can ensure safety.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: Local governments should have the ability to enact protections for people and the environment. One specific way that local governments can do this is through the creation of citizen boards, which provide a voice for impacted citizens. Such boards also encourage participation of individuals with diverse opinions, expertise, and experiences in the process.

Question 3: What role or rights should surface owners have when it comes to siting oil and gas facilities in or near their neighborhoods?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: I’m a believer that the surface owners should have a major role and rights when it comes to siting oil and gas facilities in or near their neighborhoods. It is these people that have to live near these facilities and it is crucial that we maintain safety for them, their property, and their environment. Without these people being involved, there wouldn’t be a voice for the people.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: Home owners should have a voice in determining the siting of oil and gas facilities near their homes and schools. Everyone deserves to have their needs, and the needs of their community, acknowledged.

Question 4: What role should counties, the state, and federal agencies take in regulating air emissions at oil and gas facilities?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: Once again, I believe that counties, municipalities, state, and federal agencies all need to be involved in testing when it comes to regulating air emissions at oil and gas facilities. We cannot rely that one agency is doing enough to protect everyone at risk. By involving all four levels of government we are ensuring safety for everyone.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: Proposed and existing oil and gas facilities should be required to update technology to decrease toxic emissions and reduce impacts to the environment. Everyone deserves the right to feel safe in their homes, and to live in a community in which clean air and clean water are a reality.

Question 5: What role should counties, the state, and federal agencies take in reducing natural gas and methane waste at oil and gas facilities?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: I believe that all of these agencies need to be a part of ensuring the safety and preservation of quality of life, at oil and gas facilities. I believe it is the job of the oil and gas industry is to follow regulation given down by these agencies to reduce natural gas and methane waste at oil and gas facilities.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: Government should invest in technology that monitors natural gas and methane waste. They should have the ability to act on any concerns that may arise as a result of that monitoring. Oil and gas companies should also be held accountable and responsible for any health impacts that may occur as a result of methane/natural gas emissions.

Question 6: When it comes to siting and regulating oil and gas, how should the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and local governments be working together?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: I believe that more local control needs to be given to local governments and counties when it comes to regulating oil and gas. I believe that the COGCC should be a part of reviewing or backing up the local jurisdictions regulations, I believe the COGCC should be the ones that are in charge of enforcing the regulations and working to protect Colorado instead of protecting oil and gas.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: Local governments should have the ability to enact the protections necessary to ensure the health and welfare of their residents. While the COGCC is recognized as the authority on industry, I believe that local governments should have the ability to also have a say in the siting of oil and gas.

Question 7: What changes, if any, would you like to see in how oil and gas is regulated in Colorado?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: I would like to see more regulation and accountability towards oil and gas within the state of Colorado. I don’t believe that there are strict enough rules, or that our state is strict in the regulations that protect the people of Colorado. We need to protect property values in Colorado, and protect the environment in Colorado. I believe there are too many loose regulations that allow the oil and gas industry to walk all over our state and do whatever they want.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: I do not believe that large scale oil and gas development belongs near neighborhoods and schools. I would like to see greater protections in place for homes, people, schools, and the environment.

Question 8: Do you have active oil and gas wells in your district? How often do you hear from your constituency regarding oil and gas issues?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: To my knowledge there are no active oil and gas wells in my district.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: There are 100 active oil and gas wells in Thornton, and there are many more in the greater Adams County area. There have been 9 historic leaks discovered in the last 2 years, including a leak approximately .75 miles from my home. There are also 350 abandoned wells in Thornton, which affects approximately 8200 buildings. A home in my neighborhood is built directly over one of these wells.

I hear concerns from residents often, especially after the Firestone explosion. My neighbors are worried about their safety, and the safety of their children. They are also concerned about the impacts of having a large scale, industrial facility next to their homes and schools.

Question 9: What reporting, if any, would you want to see in place at oil and gas sites regarding air and water pollution? Who should be responsible for gathering the information?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: I would be in favor of any air and water pollution reports at oil and gas sites. I believe that local governments as well as the state, and federal agencies should be required to maintain these reports. I don’t believe allowing the oil and gas industry to track or report on these reports is safe or that it is trusted for that matter.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: All Coloradans have the right to live in areas with clean air and clean water. As the regulating authority over oil and gas development in the state, the COGCC should be responsible for gathering information regarding pollution and emissions.

Question 10: How should information regarding new oil and gas development be relayed to the public?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: I believe that just like with the way we treat developments that occur in our city the same/similar rules and procedures should be applied, for example, an ample amount of notice should be given to residents within a certain distance of an area that could be affected by the oil and gas site, and a chance for input should be allowed.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: Large signs or billboards at proposed sites should be erected to inform the community of potential plans to drill. Letters should also be sent out to homes within a mile radius, as research shows that there are health impacts of living that close to a site, such as asthma or respiratory issues.

Question 11: How should information regarding regulatory violations – noise, air, water pollution – be relayed to the public?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: I believe regulation should be put in place to maintain noise ordinances or quiet zones for oil and gas facilities, and that the these regulations and restrictions should be relayed to the community prior in all ways possible prior to the start-up of a new oil and gas facility.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: The public should be informed of nuisances and violations through letters sent out to affected households, as well as emails for those who have provided that information. Social media is also an effective way to inform the public of violations. Finally, information regarding nuisances should also be easily accessible on the city’s website.

Question 12: What role should local government have in determining and enforcing nuisances – fines, policing powers, etc.?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: Just like with any home-rule municipality, I believe that a local government should be able to make up the local laws and policies that govern, and enforce nuisances-fines, policing powers, etc.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: Local governments are tasked with ensuring the health and safety of their residents in all aspects. As such, they should have complete local authority.

Question 13: How would you address safety concerns related to unmapped active and inactive oil and gas pipelines and related infrastructure?

Responses:

Ward 1 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 2 Candidates did not respond.

Ward 3

Evelyn Rosales and Jessica Sandgren did not respond.

Seth Thomas: I believe safety is number one regardless of the situation. All oil and gas inactive or active pipelines and related infrastructure need to be mapped. There should be a zero tolerance policy for unmap active and inactive oil and gas pipelines and related infrastructure. Failure to do so may result in accidents like Firestone.

Ward 4

Jan Kuhlman did not respond.

Suzie Brundage: All lines should be mapped and made easily and publicly accessible for any resident. Individuals have the right to know if there are flowlines or pipelines running underneath their homes.